Georgia tort reform debated in context of defensive medicine

When you or a loved one is hurt by medical malpractice, it's important to be prepared for any financial repercussions as you file for damages. From meningitis to a heart attack, you expect a physician or hospital to handle your treatment with a high standard of care. Even a routine trip to the hospital can end in serious injury or death because of incorrect treatment and negligence on the part of the doctor or staff. When finding a financial remedy for medical malpractice, it's important to plot a course that will help protect your rights and give you security.

Supporters of a proposed Georgia bill that would fundamentally change how medical malpractice cases are settled and awarded are pushing for change. The proposal would create an 11-person board that would review potential malpractice cases. The potential bill's creators allege they support decreasing "defensive medicine," a term used to describe the ordering of unnecessary tests and procedures by doctors to avoid lawsuits. The costs can be high to patients who come in for routine medical checkups.

Medical malpractice occurs when a physician fails to meet a standard of care for you or a loved one. It may involve something as simple as disregarding directions on medical supplies or as egregious as incorrectly diagnosing problems and mistreating a patient. It can be difficult to establish wrongdoing, so it's important that strong evidence is collected along with a proper argument. With complicated laws changing, being up-to-date on the latest changes is important when asking for damages.

Medical malpractice can happen at any time, from one-time botched surgical errors to negligent care over a longer period of time. If you or a loved one is a victim of malpractice, you will want to find a way to get through the Georgia legal system. There are many bills in place that are advocating for change, so being familiar with the latest changes is extremely helpful.